Wedding photography equipment

[uridiscence]

For those of you that do wedding photography, what do you usually rent and/or take with you to do a wedding for 6 hours? I am working with a partner to do our first wedding in April and we are looking at everything we may need that day. We've each got two camera bodies with appropriate lenses, but what are you finding works best for portable lighting? What flashes are you using?

We are going to avoid flash whenever we can due to the videographers.

[OsmosisStudios]

Helps greatly to know what bodies and lenses your bringing and what you have available as well.,

[uridiscence]

Mine are listed in my signature. A Rebel and a Mark II. My friend has the same. I'm not sure what lenses we will be using at this point, since we have more of those than we do of lighting.

[gturner]

the obvious things missing are a F2.8 zoom and decent wide.
If you are going to hire, look at
16-35 L 2.8 for groups
70-200 with IS for portraits held held in all light


The other thing is a camera body with decent ISO range and low noise. The 350D is not going to be good in low light even at ISO 400 and up. (I know, I have one)

Is that a 5D or 1D II you are talking about?

[uridiscence]

We plan to use the Rebels for some outdoor shots. The Marks will be used for some outdoor and all the indoor shots. I know, the Rebel is bad for indoor low light stuff. We are renting the 70-200 lens and we will also use a Canon 50, 85, and another zoom lens.

I didn't consider the 16-35, but it does sound like the best for groups, maybe we'll replace the 50 with that one...

We both have the 5D II.

So, back to my original question...lighting?

[gturner]

Originally Posted by uridiscence

So, back to my original question...lighting?

Haven't a clueconfused:

Sorry

[OsmosisStudios]

16 may be a bit wide. Remember, youre going to be getting some wicked distortion at that focal length.

Lighting depends on what you *can* use. If you can, flash in a church can be quite good, if used properly. Same with at the reception. but if you have no idea what youre doing, you'll botch it and look like an idiot.

For formal shots, you may want flash too, especially indoors, but I vastly prefer natural to flash in any situation.

[uridiscence]

My original question wasn't about the cameras or the lenses, it was about what type of portable lighting you are using. Softboxes? Flashes? On camera or off?

Mainly for the indoor stuff. I have heard that not that many photographers are using flashes these days because it interferes with the videographer's work.

[candleman]

dont do many weddings.. been avoiding them.
had one booked for January (they broke off the engagenment )

i was planiing on taking an assistant who had a lightstand and softbox umbrella (umbrella with traslucent backing) so its really like a Octabox.
that was to be used for formal portraits of the couple in the church and on location in a park. (as well as a reflector)

simply because my D80 has crap ISO Noise like the 350D does... i always use on camera flash (SB600 bounced) to try get away with a lower ISO.

if i had a D3 i'd be inclined to shoot more ambient in the ceremony. but if the light is good i go for ambient...infact.. the majorityof the ones i'm proud of were ambient only.. and making the most of the available light.

just follow your own style.. if you lke using flash, and its a part of your style.. then do it.
dont screw up work you are being paid to produce for the sake of someone elses work.

heres another angle: i hear not many videographers are being hired because it interferes with the photographers work

unless the bride and groom, or celebrant have asked you not to use flash for that reason.... then do what you deem necessary to complete the job properly

[uridiscence]

Good advice! Thanks! I prefer natural light myself....just another reason why I don't use my flash...or many other lights.